Crime & Safety

LAPD Offers Up Halloween Traffic Safety Tips

Halloween ranks as the worst day of the year for child pedestrian deaths and accidents.

Ahead of a night full of trick-or-treating, The Los Angeles Police Department on Thursday offered up Halloween traffic safety tips for children and adults alike.

According to police, Halloween sees the highest number of child pedestrian deaths of the entire year and also ranks as one of the worst days for drinking and driving violations.

“Watch for children and adults walking on roadways, medians and in dark costumes – they'll be harder to see at night,” said California Office of Traffic Safety Assistant Director Christ Cochran.  “Be aware that trick-or-treaters may not be paying attention to traffic and may run out mid-block or between parked cars.  Motorists should scan far ahead when driving in residential areas, watch for people and cautiously monitor their actions.”

In addition, LAPD offered the following tips:

  • Plan the route ahead of time, try and aim for well-lit streets, avoid high traffic areas and busy streets.
  • Choose costumes that make it easy for your kids to walk and be seen by drivers - light colored costumes are the best choice.
  • For darker-colored costumes, use retro-reflective tape to help make your child well-seen by drivers.  Be creative in applying the tape to make it fun and easy to be seen.
  • Masks can sometimes obstruct a child’s path of vision, so make sure that when crossing the street they remove it or consider using makeup instead of a mask for added safety.
  • It’s best to trick-or-treat when it’s still light outside, but if you find yourselves out after dark carry a flashlight so that trick-or-treaters can see and so that drivers can see them.
  • Don’t run! Always walk and make sure the kids do too.
  • Cross only at corners and never cross between parked cars or in the middle of a block.
  • Wait until you get home to sort, check and eat treats. Even if you’re not behind the wheel, it is still important to remember to remain alert when near roads and busy areas.
  • Remember, even if you see a car, they may not be able to see you or your child until it’s too late.



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